Shane van Gisbergen aims to justify NASCAR Cup Series seat as he acknowledges the need to improve, even after his commanding win in Mexico City last weekend. While he continues to shine on road courses, the Trackhouse Racing driver admits that results on ovals remain key to securing his future in the series.
Van Gisbergen Secures Second Cup Series Triumph in Mexico
In NASCAR’s debut at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Shane van Gisbergen impressed by leading 60 of the 100 laps. He finished 16 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell, a rival from Joe Gibbs Racing, to claim his second Cup Series victory. The win follows his memorable first victory on the Chicago street circuit, underscoring his ability on non-oval tracks since making the leap from winning three Supercars titles in Australia to racing in North America.
Road Course Success Fuels Higher Expectations
Despite the resounding success in Mexico, van Gisbergen remains focused on developing his oval racing skills—a necessity in a calendar dominated by oval tracks. He is explicit about his goals and what drives him to compete in NASCAR:
“That’s why I’m here, to win road races,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, driver
However, he is quick to clarify that his ambition does not stop at excelling on road and street courses. Van Gisbergen recognizes that consistent performance, especially on ovals, is crucial to maintaining his seat:
“But I’m not here to run last on the ovals either. I need to keep getting better to justify being a Cup Series driver. I need to be performing on the ovals, too.”
Progress and Setbacks on Ovals
While the Mexico win has likely secured him a provisional playoff position, van Gisbergen’s standing in the overall points remains modest—currently sitting at 30th with 242 points. His best finish on an oval so far this season is 14th, and he has yet to finish inside the top 10 on an oval during his Cup Series appearances since 2023. His record shows strength on alternative layouts, with previous podiums at Watkins Glen and victories only on road courses.
Van Gisbergen remains optimistic about his development and the progress he’s making week after week on ovals:
“I am getting better and more competitive on ovals,”
—Shane van Gisbergen, driver
He notes measurable improvement in his oval performances, explaining that his average running position has improved significantly. Consistency and a methodical approach with his No. 88 crew have contributed to his gradual gains.
Team Effort and Morale at Trackhouse Racing
Beyond his personal aspirations, van Gisbergen emphasizes the importance of team morale and collective effort. He looks forward to sharing victory celebrations with his Trackhouse Racing crew, acknowledging the behind-the-scenes contributions at the shop:
“You see the effort everyone puts in, and they don’t get the glory. They’re just stuck at the shop. I love taking that and sharing that moment with them during the week.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, driver
He anticipates the upcoming victory lunch and the chance to celebrate recent successes with his teammates, all while focusing on his broader goal: making the playoffs and helping Trackhouse Racing secure another postseason berth.
“The last couple of months, it’s been great to show some improvement and be competitive.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, driver
What Lies Ahead for Van Gisbergen
Despite his recent road course victories and marked progress, Shane van Gisbergen acknowledges that a well-rounded performance—including on NASCAR’s many ovals—is required to cement his place in the Cup Series beyond 2025. As he continues to work on improving his oval results and building on the positive momentum with his team, van Gisbergen’s journey is set to be closely watched by Trackhouse Racing, rivals like Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota, and fans keen to see whether he can translate road course dominance into consistent top-tier series success.
